World T20: India test waters against West Indies in warm-up match, decide to bat first

While the eight associate nations slog it out to earn the two spots up for grabs in the next round of the tournament, favourites India have won the toss and decided to bat first against West Indies in a warm-up match at the Eden Gardens today.

India are playing with 14 batsmen in the match while West Indies are playing 11. The warm-up match serves as the perfect opportunity to both the teams to test their strategies. It also gives some much-needed playing time to players who are out to earn a spot in the team when the World Cup begins.

The focus is on Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami who is making his comeback to competitive cricket after a long spell on the sidelines through a knee injury.

Conditions in Kolkata will be similar to those in Dhaka, where India won their sixth Asia Cup title. Although Shami was not in action in the recently-concluded tournament, the warm-up match will be an ideal, low pressure start for the bowling ace who will be looking to spearhead India's attack in the World Cup.